Vehicle navigation system for use with a telematics system

ABSTRACT

A navigation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, a vehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at least two instructions with each of the instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control is operable to provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operable to provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/406,166, filed Aug. 27, 2002 by Taylor et al.for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1022); Ser. No. 60/405,392, filed Aug. 23, 2002 by KevinC. McCarthy for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICSSYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1019); and Ser. No. 60/404,906, filedAug. 21, 2002 by Taylor for BIOMETRIC VEHICLE SEATING ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1018), and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller etal. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1076), and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/287,178, filed Nov. 4, 2002 by McCarthy et al. forNAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1051), which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/799,414, filedMar. 5, 2001 by McCarthy et al. for COMPLETE MIRROR-BASEDGLOBAL-POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) NAVIGATION SOLUTION, now U.S. Pat. No.6,477,464 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-887), which claims priority of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/187,960, filed Mar. 9, 2000 byMcCarthy et al. (Attorney Docket DON01 P-810), all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to telematics systems forvehicles and, more particularly, to telematics systems which may providedriving instructions or directions to a driver of a vehicle or which mayprovide other controls to an accessory or system of the vehicle. Thepresent invention also relates generally to vehicle seating adjustmentsystems and, more particularly, to vehicle seating adjustment systemswith memory adjustment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In-vehicle telematics systems or vehicle-based telematicssystems, such as General Motor's ONSTAR®, Daimler's TELEAID™, Ford'sRESCU® or the like, are common in vehicles today. Such telematicssystems involve a telecommunication link from the vehicle to an operatoror a voice input system at a service center or the like external to thevehicle. The driver of the vehicle may connect or communicate with anoperator at the service center to request directions to a targetedlocation. The service center may provide directions to the targetedlocation based on the known position of the vehicle, which may be givento the service center operator by the driver, or which may be known bythe operator via a link to a global positioning system (GPS) of thevehicle.

[0004] However, in such concierge-type systems, typically all of theroad names, exits to take, and directional headings/directions are givenverbally by the service center operator to the driver all together whilethe driver is driving the vehicle. The driver is then typically expectedto remember several directional driving instructions and often hasdifficulty in remembering the full directions. Although the driver mayoptionally remain on the line with the service center operator until thedriver reaches the intended destination, which may take many minutes,such as ten, fifteen, twenty minutes or more, and/or the driver may callback to the service center for updated directions, these actionsincrease the cost of the service, since the service center typicallycharges for such calls.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a navigation systemthat overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is intended to provide instructions ordirections to a driver of a vehicle which are keyed or coded or linkedto respective geographic locations, such that the particularinstructions are provided in response to the geographic position of thevehicle at least generally corresponding to the particular geographiclocation associated with the particular instruction. The particularinstructions are thus provided to the driver of the vehicle only whenthe geographic position of the vehicle is at or near the predeterminedor preset waypoints or geographic locations corresponding to therespective particular instructions.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a navigationsystem for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, avehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematicssystem is operable to receive a user input and to download directionalinformation from a remote source to the control of the vehicle inresponse to the user input (often, for instance, in ONSTAR®, the userinput may be a request from the driver to the remote source or servicecenter operator for directions to a particular destination) and aninitial geographic position of the vehicle, such as typically determinedby the vehicle-based global positioning system. The directionalinformation comprises at least two instructions, with each instructionbeing coded to or associated with or linked to a respective geographiclocation or waypoint. The control is operable to provide an outputcorresponding to each of the at least two instructions in response to athen current geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operableto provide each instruction only when the then current geographicposition of the vehicle at least generally matches or corresponds to theparticular respective geographic location associated with the particularinstruction.

[0008] For instance, a first instruction is typically downloaded thatcomprises information as to the initial geographic position and headingof the vehicle (e.g., “You are now heading East on Maple Street.Continue until you reach Oak Road.”). A second instruction may thenprovide information as the vehicle approaches the appropriate turn orintersection or the like to take (e.g., “You are now within two blocksof Oak Road. Prepare to turn Right at Oak Road.”). A subsequentinstruction may then provide information as to the geographic positionof the vehicle after the previous step has been completed (e.g., “Youare now heading South on Oak Road. Continue until you reach ElmStreet.”). The output thus provides separate instructions or steps ofthe directional information, with each instruction coded to a particulargeographic location and provided in response to the then currentgeographic position of the vehicle.

[0009] Also, if the driver of the vehicle does not correctly turn orpasses an appropriate turn or the like, the control of the presentinvention knows this via an input from the in-vehicle or vehicle-basedglobal positioning system. As a consequence, a warning instruction maybe communicated to the driver indicating that the directions are notbeing appropriately followed (e.g., “You have passed Oak Road. Pleaseexecute a U-Turn and proceed West on Maple Street to Oak Road and turnLeft at Oak Road.”). Also, if the driver turns off a given road onto anincorrect road or otherwise strays from the given route, the control maycommunicate a similar warning or instruction to alert the driver thatthe vehicle is no longer traveling along the given route (e.g., “Youhave left Maple Street, but are not on Oak Road. Return to Maple Streetand continue East on Maple Street to Oak Road, then turn Right on OakRoad.”).

[0010] The control is operable to tag or code each of the instructionswith a respective geographic location or waypoint (alternately, each ofthe instructions may be tagged or coded or associated with a respectivegeographic location or waypoint at the remote source before downloadingto the control of the vehicle, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention). The control is then operable to only display aparticular instruction when the geographic location tagged or coded tothe particular instruction matches or generally matches the actual, thencurrent geographic position of the vehicle.

[0011] The control also receives, preferably continuously, an input fromthe vehicle-based global positioning system that is indicative of theactual, current geographic position of the vehicle as the vehicletravels along the road, highway or the like. The control is thenoperable to compare the tagged or coded geographic location (asassociated with the respective instructions) with the GPS-derived actualgeographic position information. Thus, the control may determine when aparticular instruction is appropriate to be displayed and/orcommunicated to the driver by determining that the GPS-derived actualgeographic position of the vehicle is now at or at least close to thegeographic location associated with a particular instruction.

[0012] The user input may comprise a vocal input from the driver of thevehicle to the remote source or service center, or may comprise a keypadinput or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.Preferably, the geographic position of the vehicle is provided to theremote source (such as a service center or the like) via the globalpositioning system of the vehicle and the telematics system of thevehicle.

[0013] In one form, the output of the control is provided to the driveras an audible message. In another form, the output of the control isprovided to the driver as a visible display. The visible display maycomprise a video display element, an alphanumeric or iconistic displayelement or the like, and may comprise a display on demand type displayelement, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display element, amulti-pixel display element, and/or a multi-icon display element and/orthe like. In another form, a combination of a visible and audible outputmay be used.

[0014] Optionally, the system may include a seat adjustment system thatis operable to adjust a seat of the vehicle in response to data receivedvia at least one of the vehicle-based telematics system and thevehicle-based global positioning system. The seat adjustment system maybe operable in response to biometric data pertaining to the occupant ofthe seat of the vehicle.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a methodfor providing navigational directions to a driver of a vehicle comprisesaccessing a remote source or service center via a vehicle-based wirelesscommunication system and downloading local information from the remotesource to a control of the vehicle via the wireless communication systemin response to a user input. The local information comprises at leasttwo driving instructions. Each of the at least two driving instructionsis associated with or linked to a respective, particular geographiclocation. A current geographic position of the vehicle is provided tothe control via a vehicle-based global positioning system. Each of theat least two driving instructions is provided by the control to thedriver in response to the then current geographic position of thevehicle and only when the current geographic position of the vehicle atleast generally matches or corresponds to the particular geographiclocation electronically associated with or linked to the respective oneof the at least two driving instructions.

[0016] Preferably, the method includes associating or tagging or codingor linking (such as electronically, digitally or the like) each of theinstructions with a respective particular geographic location. Thecontrol may tag or code the instructions to be associated with therespective geographic locations after the instructions have beendownloaded, or the remote service center may tag or code theinstructions to be associated with the respective geographic locationsbefore downloading the instructions to the control, without affectingthe scope of the present invention.

[0017] In one form, the at least two driving instructions are visiblydisplayed to the driver at a display of the vehicle. In another form,the at least two driving instructions are audibly communicated to thedriver via at least one speaker of the vehicle. In a third form, acombination of a visible display and audible communication may be used.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, anavigation system for a vehicle comprises a vehicle-based telematicssystem, a vehicle-based global positioning system, and a control. Thetelematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver ofthe vehicle and to download directional information to the control ofthe vehicle in response to the user input and an initial geographicposition of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at leasttwo instructions. The control is operable to tag or code or link each ofthe instructions with a respective geographic location. The control isoperable to provide an output corresponding to a particular instructiononly when the geographic location tagged or coded or linked to theparticular instruction at least generally corresponds to the actualcurrent geographic position of the vehicle.

[0019] The present invention thus provides for step-by-step instructionsor driving directions to the driver of a vehicle as the driver isdriving the vehicle according to the instructions. Each step orinstruction is provided either after the previous step or instructionhas been completed or as the vehicle approaches a turn or intersectionor location where the next step is to be performed, so that the driveris not overwhelmed with multiple instructions to remember as the driverdrives the vehicle toward the targeted destination. The control or theremote source or service center is operable to electronically ordigitally or otherwise tag, key, code or otherwise associate eachinstruction or step with a geographic location or waypoint, and thecontrol is operable to only display that instruction when the geographiclocation tagged to the instruction generally matches the actual, currentgeographic position of the vehicle. All of the instructions are providedor downloaded to the vehicle during a single, short communication withthe remote source or service center via the telematics system, so as toavoid multiple communications to the remote service center or a lengthycommunication with the remote service center, thereby reducing the costof the instruction service to the driver of the vehicle.

[0020] These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features ofthe present invention will become more apparent from the study of thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a vehicle incorporating a navigationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a navigation system in accordancewith the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a vehicle incorporating a seatadjustment system in accordance with the present invention; and

[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a seat adjustment system inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodimentsdepicted therein, a navigation system 10 of a vehicle 12 includes acontrol 14 which is operable to communicate an output 16, such asstep-by-step directions or driving instructions, to a driver of thevehicle based on an initial, current or present geographic position ofthe vehicle and the desired or targeted final destination of the vehicle(FIGS. 1 and 2). The initial geographic position of the vehicle and thetargeted destination is communicated to a remote source or servicecenter 20 via a telematics system 18 of the vehicle and a globalpositioning system 22 of the vehicle. In response to a user input 24from the driver or other occupant of the vehicle and the initialgeographic position of the vehicle, the service center 20 provides ordownloads a set of instructions or driving directions 26, which isreceived by the control 14 from the service center via the telematicssystem or wireless communication system 18 of the vehicle. Each of theparticular instructions is electronically or digitally or otherwisecoded, tagged, keyed, or otherwise associated with a respectiveparticular geographic location or waypoint. The control 14 then providesthe instructions or output 16 to the driver in a step-by-step mannerbased on the GPS-derived, actual, then current geographic position ofthe vehicle, and with the stepping from one step to the subsequent stepof the instructions being linked to the then current geographic positionof the vehicle in relation to the particular geographic locations orwaypoints associated with the instructions, as discussed below.

[0026] The driver or the other occupant of the vehicle provides the userinput 24 to the telematics system or wireless communication system 18 ofthe vehicle. The user input 24 may include a vocal communication orrequest for driving instructions or directional information to the finaldestination to an operator or voice input/recognition system of theservice center or the like 20 associated with the telematics system 18of the vehicle, or may be a keyed-in request or instructions via akeypad or the like to a remote computer system or computerized servicecenter or the like, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. The driver or other occupant of the vehicle may provide (suchas via a vocal communication or via a keypad input or the like) theinitial position of the vehicle to the service center or the geographicposition of the vehicle may be communicated to the service center via aglobal positioning system 22 of the vehicle.

[0027] The remote service center 20 is then operable to download thelocal map and/or the driving instructions or directions to a memorystorage or control 14 of the vehicle while the communication link isopen between the service center and the vehicle. Because only the localinformation necessary to direct the driver to the targeted destinationis downloaded to the control or memory of the vehicle, the download maybe completed in a relatively short period of time (thus minimizing thetime and cost of the communication) and does not require a large amountof memory or storage space for the information. After the instructionsor directions are downloaded to the vehicle, the driver may disconnectfrom the service center to avoid additional charges for thecommunication and service.

[0028] Each of the output instructions provided by the control iselectronically or digitally or otherwise keyed or coded or tagged orotherwise associated with or linked to a respective or correspondinggeographic location or waypoint. The instructions may be tagged or codedby the remote source or service center before the instructions aredownloaded to the vehicle, or the instructions may be tagged or coded bythe control at the vehicle after the instructions have been downloadedto the control, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

[0029] The control 14 also receives, preferably continuously, an inputfrom the in-vehicle or vehicle-based global positioning system 22 whichis indicative of the actual, current geographic position of the vehicleas it travels along the road, highway or the like. The control is thenoperable to compare the tagged or coded geographic locations asassociated with the respective instructions with the GPS-derived actualgeographic position information. Thus, the control is operable todetermine when a particular instruction is appropriate to be displayedor communicated to the driver of the vehicle by determining that theactual GPS-derived geographic position of the vehicle is now at or atleast close to the geographic location associated with a particularinstruction. The control is then operable to provide the separate orparticular output instructions to the driver of the vehicle in responseto the actual, then current geographic position of the vehicle matchingor corresponding to or approaching a particular geographic location orwaypoint keyed to or coded to or tagged to or associated with arespective, particular instruction.

[0030] Preferably, the output or instructions are provided to the driverof the vehicle in a step-by-step manner, where each individualinstruction or step is provided based on the then current geographicposition of the vehicle with respect to the keyed or coded geographiclocation. More particularly, each particular instruction is provided tothe driver by the control only when the actual geographic position ofthe vehicle at least generally corresponds to or matches the particulargeographic location associated with or linked to the respective,particular instruction. The particular instruction is thus provided tothe driver of the vehicle at the particular time at which the vehicle ispositioned at or near a geographic location where the particularinstruction is most useful to the driver of the vehicle.

[0031] For example, an initial instruction may be electronically ordigitally coded to the initial geographic position of the vehicle whenthe directions/instructions are first requested (e.g., “You are headingEast on First Street”). Each subsequent individual step may be providedin response to the control detecting or determining (in response to anoutput of the global positioning system) that the vehicle isapproaching, at or near the next geographic location or waypoint, suchas a turn, location, intersection or the like, at which the next step isto be performed (e.g., the car is approaching and within a predeterminedor threshold distance from Main Street and the next instruction is “TurnLeft on Main Street”), or in response to the control detecting ordetermining (again in response to the global positioning system of thevehicle) that a previous instruction or step has been completed (e.g.,the car has turned left and is now traveling along Main Street and thenext instruction is “Proceed North on Main Street”). The control is thusoperable to provide the next step or instruction only when the drivercan readily understand the instruction and focus on performing thatparticular step. The driver thus does not have to remember all of themultiple steps or turns or street names or exits or the like while alsodriving the vehicle. The driver also thus does not have to remain on theline with the remote service center operator and/or does not have torepeatedly contact the service center to obtain the instructions againif any of the instructions are forgotten, since the local instructionsand/or map have been downloaded to the vehicle.

[0032] The telematics system or wireless communication system 18 of thevehicle may be operable to connect to a corresponding service center oroperator or voice input/recognition system or the like 20 which mayprovide a variety of information or assistance to the driver of thevehicle in response to a vocal message from the driver or other occupantof the vehicle (although the user input may be a keypad input or thelike to a computerized service center or the like, without affecting thescope of the present invention). Such a communication system and servicecenter may be substantially similar to known systems and centers, suchas General Motors' ONSTAR®, Daimler's TELEAID™, Ford's RESCUE or thelike, which are common in vehicles today. The communication link may beaccomplished utilizing various linking principles, such as theprinciples disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,975(Attorney Docket DON01 P-787), U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,377 (Attorney DocketDON01 P-776), U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,003 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-768),U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,925 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-702), U.S. Pat. No.6,428,172 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-778), U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613(Attorney Docket DON01 P-783), the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

[0033] The driver or occupant of the vehicle may actuate a communicationlink (such as via a push button or the like at the interior rearviewmirror or at a console of the vehicle), and request from the operator,such as via a voice input, the driving instructions or directions as tohow to get to a desired or targeted location or destination. The servicecenter may receive the initial geographic position of the vehicle (suchas in response to the global positioning system of the vehicle or fromthe driver), and may access a database to obtain the appropriate localmap and/or local directions to the targeted destination. The operatormay even access the vast data banks available at the service center fordestinations or locations and may provide human interaction to help findthe destination of choice if the driver does not know the exact address.The operator or service center then downloads the local information orstep-by-step or turn-by-turn directions 26 to the control or memory orstorage system 14 of the vehicle 12 in a single download. Optionally, itis envisioned that the service center may download or provide theinformation to the vehicle in real time (which may result in a longeropened communication link between the vehicle and the service center),without affecting the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The control 14 is operable to provide the downloaded instructionsto the driver of the vehicle while the vehicle is driven by the drivertoward the targeted destination. The control 14 provides the informationor directions or output 16, such as when/where to turn, how far untilthe turn, and the direction to travel, to the driver as needed. Thecontrol may be operable to update the output display or message in realtime based on the current geographic position of the vehicle as thevehicle travels along the given route.

[0035] The output or instructions may be provided to the driver by thecontrol via an audible message or signal, such as via one or morespeakers of the vehicle, such as by utilizing principles of audiosystems of the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.6,243,003; 6,278,377; and 6,420,975, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference, or may be provided via a display, such as in adisplay of an interior rearview mirror 28, such as a scrolling displayof the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/799,414, filed Mar. 5, 2001 by McCarthy et al. for COMPLETEMIRROR-BASED GLOBAL-POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) NAVIGATION SOLUTION, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,477,464 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-887), which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, or a display on demand type display,such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.5,668,663 and 5,724,187, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTINGSYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-962); and Ser. No. 09/793,002, filedFeb. 26, 2001, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORYMODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), the entire disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference, or in a display screen orthe like at the interior rearview mirror assembly or elsewhere withinthe vehicle, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Othertypes of visible displays or locations for such visible displays may beutilized, such as at an accessory module or pod or windshield electronicmodule, an instrument panel of the vehicle, a console of the vehicleand/or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.The visible display may comprise written instructions, icons (such asleft and right arrows or the like), or any other characters or symbolsor indicia which convey to the driver of the vehicle when/where to turnand/or which direction to travel in order to arrive at the targeteddestination. Optionally, the output may comprise a combination of avisible display and an audible message or signal, without affecting thescope of the present invention.

[0036] As indicated above, a variety of means may be utilized tovisually convey the direction instructions to the driver of the vehicle.For example, and such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/799,414, filed Mar. 5, 2001 by McCarthy et al. for COMPLETEMIRROR-BASED GLOBAL-POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) NAVIGATION SOLUTION, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,477,464 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-887), which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, a text display may be provided and/oran iconistic display may be provided, such as a display readable throughthe interior rearview mirror reflective element itself. In this regard,use of a display on demand (DOD) type display (such as disclosed incommonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filedJan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-962), and Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001,entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE(Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663 and5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein), may be preferred. For example, a video displayelement or a video display screen or an information display element canbe used (such as an elongated alphanumeric/multi-pixel/multi-icondisplay element and/or such as an LCD display or an emitting displayelement, such as a multi-pixel electroluminescent display or fieldemission display or light emitting diode display (organic or inorganic)or the like) which is disposed within the mirror housing of the interiormirror assembly of the vehicle, and located behind the mirror reflectiveelement in the mirror housing, and configured so that the informationdisplayed by the display element (that is positioned to the rear of thereflector of the mirror reflective element) is viewable by the driverthrough the mirror reflective element. Such a display can beaccomplished by partially or wholly removing the reflector in the areaof the display or, more preferably, by providing a display on demandtype display, whereby the reflective element comprises a transflectiveelement, as discussed below.

[0037] Preferably, and such as is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMSINCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), thevideo display screen or other visible display element or elements may bedisposed behind the mirror reflective element so that the informationdisplayed is visible by viewing through the mirror reflective element ofthe interior rearview mirror assembly, with the reflective elementpreferably comprising a transflective mirror reflector such that themirror reflective element is significantly transmitting to visible lightincident from its rear (i.e. the portion furthest from the driver in thevehicle), with at least about 15% transmission preferred, at least about20% transmission more preferred, and at least about 25% transmissionmost preferred, while, simultaneously, the mirror reflective element issubstantially reflective to visible light incident from its front (i.e.the position closest to the driver when the interior mirror assembly ismounted in the vehicle), with at least about 60% reflectance preferred,at least about 70% reflectance more preferred, and at least about 75%reflectance most preferred.

[0038] Preferably, a transflective electrochromic reflective mirrorelement is used (such as is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMSINCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869); and/orin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663 and 5,724,187, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein) that comprises anelectrochromic medium sandwiched between two substrates. With the likesof a TFT LCD video display or a light emitting information displaydisposed behind the rear substrate of a third-surface transflectiveelectrochromic mirror reflective element in a “display-on-demand”configuration (such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTINGSYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-962), and Ser. No. 09/793,002, filedFeb. 26, 2001, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORYMODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference), the presence of (and the image or informationdisplayed by) the video display screen or information display is onlyprincipally visible to the driver (who views the display through thetransflective mirror reflective element) when the information displayelement is powered so as to transmit light from the rear of the mirrorreflective element through the transflective mirror reflector to reachthe eyes of the driver. Preferably, a single high-intensity power LED,such as a white light emitting LED comprising a Luxeon™ Star PowerLXHL-MW1A white light emitting LED having (at a 25 degree Celsiusjunction temperature) a minimum forward voltage of 2.55 volts, a typicalforward voltage of 3.42 volts, a maximum forward voltage of 3.99 volts,a dynamic resistance of 1 ohm and a forward current of 350 milliamps,and as available from Lumileds Lighting LLC of San Jose, Calif., is usedas a backlight for the TFT LCD video screen. Alternately, a plurality ofsuch single high-intensity power LEDs (such as an array of two or offour such power LEDs) may be placed behind the TFT LCD video screen sothat the intense white light projected from the individual singlehigh-intensity power LEDs passes through the TFT LCD element and throughthe transflective electrochromic element, preferably producing a displayintensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 200 candelas/sq.meter; more preferably at least about 300 candelas/sq. meter; and mostpreferably at least about 400 candelas/sq. meter. Alternately, coldcathode vacuum fluorescent sources/tubes can be used for backlightingand optionally can be used in conjunction with LED backlighting.

[0039] Note that other display locations are possible for display of thevideo image or information display, such as a map and/or a text messagecomprising driving instructions, to the driver or occupant of thevehicle. For example, a video image may be displayed on an LCD videoscreen of flip-down display (such as is disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001, entitled VIDEOMIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01P-869), incorporated above), or on a video screen incorporated into therearview mirror assembly, such as the type disclosed in U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/439,626, filed Jan. 13, 2003 (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1061); Ser. No. 60/489,812, filed Jul. 24, 2003 (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1100); and Ser. No. 60/492,225, filed Aug. 1, 2003 (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1107), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.Optionally, for example, a video display located in the front instrumentpanel can be used, or a video display located in an overhead console(such as an overhead accessory module or system as described in U.S.provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/489,812, filed Jul. 24, 2003(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1100); and Ser. No. 60/492,225, filed Aug. 1,2003 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1107), which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference) can be used, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention.

[0040] Alternately, as outlined above, a local area map may bedownloaded to the control from the external service provider or servicecenter and the control may be operable (such as by using the principlesdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22,2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM (Attorney DocketDON01 P-962), and Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001, entitledVIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney DocketDON01 P-869), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference) to feedsuch a map to the likes of a thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal(LC) video screen or other type of video screen or display element ordisplay system, and with the instructions being conveyed by alphanumericcharacters and/or indicia or the like and/or by highlighting portions ofthe map display. Such highlighting may be controlled by the in-vehiclecontrol or control unit based on actual, current vehicle positioninformation as determined by the in-vehicle or vehicle-based globalpositioning system. Thus, the vehicle owner need not buy into or have inthe vehicle a full map of all areas to which the vehicle may be driven(such as regional maps or national maps or the like).

[0041] Alternately, a low cost, multi-pixel display (such as the typedisclosed in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/373,932, filedApr. 19, 2002 by McMahon for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM (Attorney DocketDON01 P-974), and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/418,486, filedApr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al. for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1070), which are hereby incorporated herein byreference), such as a low cost multi-pixel vacuum fluorescent display, alow cost multi-pixel organic light emitting diode (OLED), a low costmulti-pixel field emission display, or any other or similar multi-pixellight emitting display or the like may be utilized, without affectingthe scope of the present invention. The local area map, with theinstructions iconistically displayed thereon, may be displayed on such amulti-pixel display or the like in response to the control receiving aninput or download from the telematics system and/or the in-vehicle orvehicle-based global positioning system.

[0042] It is further envisioned that the control may provide a warningor alert to the driver of the vehicle when the actual geographicposition of the vehicle (as provided by the global positioning system ofthe vehicle) is not where it should be based on the instructionsreceived from the remote service center. For example, the control mayinstruct the driver to turn around or otherwise get back onto the givenroute, or the control may instruct the driver to contact the servicecenter to obtain updated directions based on the new position of thevehicle. This may be done if, for example, the geographic position ofthe vehicle is outside of a predetermined or threshold range or distanceof the next location or waypoint, or if the geographic position of thevehicle is past the location or waypoint. Optionally, the control mayprovide audible chirps or other audible signal or the like delivered bya speaker to alert the driver when approaching a turn or to indicate tothe driver that the driver has missed a turn.

[0043] The control may also be operable to continuously monitor theactual geographic position of the vehicle and compare to the locationsor waypoints associated with the instructions even after the vehicle hasstrayed from the given route. As discussed above, the control mayprovide instructions to turn around to get back on the given route.However, if the vehicle continues along a different path (such as insituations where the driver gets lost and attempts to find a way back tothe given route, or where the driver may take an alternate route, suchas an alternate route known to the driver or a detour or the like), buteventually arrives at one of the geographic locations or waypointsassociated with the downloaded instructions, the control may be operableto recognize that the vehicle is back on the given route and resumecommunicating/displaying the appropriate instructions to the driver todirect the driver to the targeted destination.

[0044] During operation, as the driver is driving the vehicle, thedriver may access or contact a service center via the telematics system18 of the vehicle, such as ONSTAR®, TELEAID™, RESCUE or the like,depending on the type of vehicle, and request driving directions to aparticular desired destination or targeted location. The operator orservice center may provide the directions to the desired destinationfrom the known position of the vehicle (which may be provided by thedriver to the service center or may be known by the service center inresponse to the global positioning system of the vehicle). Preferably,the service center communicates the directions and downloads thedirections to a storage location or control of the vehicle. Thedirections or instructions are electronically or digitally or otherwisecoded or tagged or otherwise associated with or linked to a particulargeographic location or waypoint either by the remote service center orby the control. The control is then operable to provide the directionsin sections or parts or steps, with each separate, particular step orinstruction being provided to the driver in response to the currentgeographic position of the vehicle (based on a signal from the globalpositioning system of the vehicle) generally corresponding to aparticular geographic location or waypoint associated with theparticular step or instruction. For example, a step may be provided inresponse to the vehicle completing a previous step of the directions,and/or may be provided in response to the vehicle approaching (such asthe vehicle being within a threshold distance of) the street,intersection, location or the like at which the next step or turn is tobe performed, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

[0045] Therefore, the present invention provides a navigation systemwhich is operable to provide step-by-step instructions to a targeteddestination to a driver of a vehicle while the driver is driving thevehicle toward the targeted destination. The instructions are downloadedfrom a remote database at a remote service center or the like via atelematics system or wireless communication system of the vehicle. Theinstructions may then be provided to the driver only as needed by thedriver, since they are coded or associated with or linked to particulargeographic locations or waypoints, thereby simplifying the instructionsso that the driver will be able to understand each step and execute thestep accordingly. The instructions may be downloaded to a storage ormemory location or system of the vehicle during a brief communication orconnection with the remote service center, so that the driver does nothave to remain connected with the remote service center or repeatedlycontact the service center to receive updated instructions as the driverdrives the vehicle toward the targeted destination. The downloadedinstructions are only the local instructions and thus do not require anexcessive amount of time to download nor do they require an excessiveamount of storage space or memory on the control. Thus, the remoteservice center, operator, computerized system or the like maintains thedetailed maps and directories, and feeds back or downloads wirelessly tothe vehicle the local information or map for communication or display tothe driver of the vehicle for directional guidance information.

[0046] Optionally, the telematics system or communication link or othersystem may be operable to download data, such as via ONSTAR® or othercommunication system, or via a global positioning system or the like, tothe vehicle or to a control or system or accessory of the vehicle. Thedata may be used to adjust an accessory or system of the vehicle or toset the accessory or system of the vehicle to a desired or appropriatesetting in response to the data and/or in response to other vehicle ordriver characteristics or status.

[0047] For example, data pertaining to the location of the vehicle, thetime of day, the date, weather conditions and/or driving conditions maybe provided to the vehicle for use in adjustment of an accessory orsystem of the vehicle. For example, such data may be used by a seatadjustment system, such that adjustment of the driver or passenger seatof the vehicle may be made in response to changes in such data. This maybe beneficial because, for example, during long journeys, the seatadjustment or position at the start of the journey may not becomfortable or appropriate later on in the long journey. The seatadjustment system of the present invention thus may be operable toadjust the seat position or lumbar support or the like (and the mirrorposition or positions may also be adjusted accordingly) in response tovarious conditions, such as the length of the journey, altitude of thevehicle, driving conditions and/or the like. The seat adjustment systemthus may make dynamic adjustments of the seat or seats to keep thedriver or occupants of the vehicle comfortable or alert.

[0048] Optionally, it is envisioned that the seats of the vehicle mayhave a massage capability. In such applications, the seat adjustmentsystem or seat control system may detect that the vehicle is on a longjourney, and may activate the massage function to enhance the comfort tothe driver of the vehicle. Such an adjustment or control may also beenabled if rural highway conditions are detected or other drivingconditions where such a feature may be desired. It is further envisionedthat the seat adjustment or control system may be programmable, suchthat a particular driver or occupant may indicate what changes he or shemay desire in certain conditions. The seat adjustment system may thenautomatically activate such features or changes when the specifiedconditions are detected.

[0049] Optionally, the adjustment may also or otherwise be made inresponse to biometric data about the driver or occupant that ispresently occupying the seat. It is known to use body measurements toorder clothing tailored to the body measurements. Many catalogueclothing companies are now taking body scan measurements to orderclothing on line. These measurements ensure a substantially perfect fitof the ordered clothing. Such body scan measurements or data or othersuch biometric data may be entered into the vehicle seat adjustmentsystem, or may be communicated to the vehicle seat adjustment system,such as via the telematics system or other communication system or datasystem or the like. The seat adjustment system may then adjust the seat(and the mirrors may be adjusted as well) in response to detection of aparticular person and/or their biometric characteristics or data.

[0050] Referring now FIGS. 3 and 4, a biometric seat adjustment system110 is operable to adjust the seats 112 of a vehicle 114. The biometricseat adjustment system 110 may adjust a driver seat 112 a, a frontpassenger seat 112 b, and/or one or more rear passenger seats 112 c viaa powered seat adjustment mechanism 116 (FIG. 4) at the respective seatsin response to biometric data or information pertaining to a person thatmay be sitting in or may be about to sit in one of the vehicle seats. Asshown in FIG. 4, biometric seat adjustment system 110 includes a control118, which may store biometric data 120 in a memory and/or may receivebiometric data 120 from a remote source or an input device orcommunication (not shown). Control 118 is operable to control or adjustthe seat adjustment mechanism 116 to adjust the seats 112 of the vehicle(such as lumbar support, seat travel, seat height, etc.) in response tothe stored biometric data and/or input. For example, a person may havetheir biometric data or characteristics stored in a memory of control118, and may select a particular code or setting corresponding to theirdata (such as “position 1” of the seat adjustment system), wherebycontrol 118 adjusts the adjustment mechanism of the particular selectedseat in response to the data. Alternately, a person may have theirbiometric data or characteristics stored in a portable device (such as akey fob, PDA, or the like) or at a remote location or device, and mayhave the biometric data or characteristic communicated to the control118, whereby control 118 may adjust the adjustment mechanism of theparticular selected seat in response to the communication. The control118 may also be operable to control or adjust a setting of an interiorrearview mirror 122, an exterior rearview mirror or mirrors 124, asteering wheel 126 and/or the like in response to the input orcommunication.

[0051] The present invention thus provides a vehicle seat adjustment inresponse to biometric data, such as various body dimensions, weight,sex, age and the like. Such body dimension measurements, such as thosetaken for ordering clothing, may be made on a person and may becontained in the person's computer or the like, along with otherbiometric data or characteristics of the person (and optionally mayinclude preferences of the person). These data may be loaded into thevehicle computer and/or seat adjustment system. The seat adjustmentsystem receives the data and may be operable to pre-adjust the driverseat (or passenger seat or other seat) of the vehicle in response to thedata so that the seat that the person will sit in is set to the person'sprecise body measurements and other data. Additionally, the adjustmentsystem may pre-adjust an interior rearview mirror, exterior rearviewmirror or mirrors, steering wheel and/or the like in response to themeasurements or inputs.

[0052] The body dimensions may be saved in a person's computer or PDA,such as done for ordering clothing. Such measurement and savingtechnology now exists and is used by some catalogues, such as Lands' Endand/or Levi (which provides for measurements in their stores and thesemeasurements are stored in the person's file for ordering perfect fitjeans). Alternately, a vehicle dealer may perform simple measurements ona person (like a tailor with a new suit). This information may then beused to adjust the seat in the person's vehicle to the person's bodysize, weight, age, sex, etc. For example, the vehicle dealer maydownload the information or data for a person or person's (such as adriver and their spouse) into memory positions 1 and 2 of a vehicle seatadjustment memory of the person's vehicle. Optionally, the data may bedownloaded into a Bluetooth (or other communication protocol) enabledphone, PDA or key fob, which may then be used to communicate the data tothe targeted vehicle. Such an approach would be particularly suitablefor and advantageous to use with rental cars.

[0053] The biometric seat adjustment system preferably utilizes thenormal memory seat adjustment system or mechanisms currently in somevehicles, such as high end vehicles. While the seats today can beadjusted to a person's particular preferences, it is likely that mostpeople take awhile to get themselves comfortable. By using a few bodydimensions and the person's weight (and maybe other information orcharacteristics as well), the present invention may set the seat orseats substantially perfectly before or when the person or persons firstget into the vehicle.

[0054] It is envisioned that the biometric data measurement event mayoccur in the vehicle (such as by an in-vehicle laser or similar scannersand/or cameras that measure the driver's and/or passengers' biometricdimensions). Alternately, the biometric data may be measured external tothe vehicle (such as at a dealership “booth” when the driver is orderingand/or receiving delivery of the vehicle or at a biometric measurementbooth at a Mall or other store or facility or the like) and may beprovided to the vehicle in a manner such as described above and/or via,for example, an ONSTAR® telematics service or via a similartelecommunication system or event or the like.

[0055] It is further envisioned that more than the seat or seats (lumbarsupport/seat travel/seat height etc.) may be adjusted in response to theindividual biometric data stored in or communicated to the vehiclememory system. For example, exterior and/or interior mirror reflectiveelements may be moved or adjusted in response to such stored or inputbiometrics data, which may be called up or loaded when that particularindividual sits in one of the seats of the vehicle. Additionally, otheraccessories or systems of the vehicle may be adjusted or customized,such as suspension characteristics; steering column tilt; size ofdisplay characters (for example, older drivers may desire largeralphanumerical display digits); and/or the like, in response to thebiometric data of a particular individual.

[0056] Therefore, the present invention provides a navigation systemwhich is operable to provide step-by-step instructions to a targeteddestination to a driver of a vehicle while the driver is driving thevehicle toward the targeted destination. The instructions are downloadedfrom a remote database at a remote service center or the like via atelematics system or wireless communication system of the vehicle. Theinstructions may then be provided to the driver only as needed by thedriver, since they are coded or associated with or linked to particulargeographic locations or waypoints, thereby simplifying the instructionsso that the driver will be able to understand each step and execute thestep accordingly. The present invention may also provide a seatadjustment function that automatically adjusts the seat of the vehiclein response to data communicated to the vehicle via a telematics systemor a global positioning system or the like. The seat adjustment systemor function may be operable to adjust the seat of the vehicle inresponse to biometric data of the person occupying the seat. Theinterior and/or exterior rearview mirrors may also be adjusted inresponse to the data or seat adjustments.

[0057] Changes and modifications in the specifically describedembodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles ofthe present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scopeof the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles ofpatent law.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A navigation system fora vehicle comprising: a vehicle-based telematics system; a vehicle-basedglobal positioning system operable to determine a geographic position ofthe vehicle; and a control, said telematics system being operable toreceive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and downloaddirectional information from an external service provider to saidcontrol in response to said user input and an initial geographicposition of the vehicle, said directional information comprising atleast two instructions with each of said at least two instructions beingcoded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location,said control being operable to provide an output corresponding to eachof said at least two instructions in response to a current actualgeographic position of the vehicle determined by said vehicle-basedglobal positioning system, said control being operable to provide eachinstruction only when the then current actual geographic position of thevehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographiclocation associated with said each instruction.
 2. The navigation systemof claim 1, wherein said control is operable to tag or code each of theinstructions with a respective geographic location and is operable toonly provide a particular one of the instructions when the respectivegeographic location tagged or coded to the particular instruction atleast generally corresponds to the then current actual geographicposition of the vehicle.
 3. The navigation system of claim 1, whereineach of said at least two downloaded instructions is tagged or codedwith or linked to a respective particular geographic location, saidcontrol being operable to only display a particular instruction when therespective geographic location tagged or coded or linked to theparticular instruction at least generally corresponds to the thencurrent actual geographic position of the vehicle.
 4. The navigationsystem of claim 1, wherein said user input comprises a vocal input fromthe driver or occupant of the vehicle to a service center associatedwith said vehicle-based telematics system.
 5. The navigation system ofclaim 1, wherein said initial geographic position of the vehicle iscommunicated to the service center via said vehicle-based globalpositioning system.
 6. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein said atleast two instructions are provided by said control as an audiblemessage.
 7. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein said at least twoinstructions are provided by said control as a visible display.
 8. Thenavigation system of claim 7, wherein said visible display is providedat an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle.
 9. Thenavigation system of claim 7, wherein said visible display comprises atleast one of a display on demand display element, a thin film transistorliquid crystal display element, a multi-pixel display element and amulti-icon display element.
 10. The navigation system of claim 1including a seat adjustment system, said seat adjustment system beingoperable to adjust a seat of the vehicle in response to data receivedvia at least one of said vehicle-based telematics system and saidvehicle-based global positioning system.
 11. The navigation system ofclaim 10, wherein said seat adjustment system is operable in response tobiometric data pertaining to the occupant of the seat of the vehicle.12. A method for providing navigational directions to a driver of avehicle comprising: accessing a remote source via a vehicle-basedwireless communication system; providing an initial geographic positionof the vehicle via a vehicle-based global positioning system;downloading local information from the remote source to a control of thevehicle via the wireless communication system in response to a userinput and said initial geographic position of the vehicle, said localinformation comprising at least two driving instructions, each of the atleast two driving instructions being associated with or linked to arespective particular geographic location; providing a currentgeographic position of the vehicle to said control via saidvehicle-based global positioning system; and providing each of said atleast two driving instructions to the driver only when the then currentgeographic position of the vehicle at least generally matches theparticular geographic location associated with or linked to therespective one of said at least two driving instructions.
 13. The methodof claim 12 including associating or tagging or coding or linking eachof the instructions with a respective particular geographic location.14. The method of claim 12, wherein providing each of said at least twodriving instructions comprises visibly displaying each of said at leasttwo driving instructions at a display of the vehicle.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein visibly displaying each of said at least two drivinginstructions comprises visibly displaying each of said at least twodriving instructions at a display at an interior rearview mirrorassembly of the vehicle.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein visiblydisplaying each of said at least two driving instructions comprisesvisibly displaying each of said at least two driving instructions via atleast one of a display on demand display element, a thin film transistorliquid crystal display element, a multi-pixel display element and amulti-icon display element.
 17. The method of claim 12, whereinproviding each of said at least two driving instructions comprisesaudibly communicating each of said at least two driving instructions viaat least one speaker of the vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 12including: providing data to a seat adjustment system of the vehicle viaat least one of said vehicle-based wireless communication system andsaid vehicle-based global positioning system; and adjusting a seat ofthe vehicle in response to said data.
 19. The method of claim 18including providing biometric data pertaining to an occupant of the seatto said seat adjustment system and adjusting the seat in response tosaid biometric data.
 20. A navigation system for a vehicle comprising: avehicle-based telematics system; a vehicle-based global positioningsystem operable to determine a geographic position of the vehicle; and acontrol, said telematics system being operable to receive a user inputfrom a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information tosaid control of the vehicle in response to said user input and aninitial geographic position of the vehicle, said directional informationcomprising at least two instructions, said control being operable to tagor code or link each of the at least two instructions with a respectivegeographic location, said control being operable to provide an outputcorresponding to a particular one of the at least two instructions onlywhen the geographic location tagged or coded or linked to the particularinstruction at least generally corresponds to the current actualgeographic position of the vehicle determined by said vehicle-basedglobal positioning system.
 21. The navigation system of claim 20,wherein said output comprises an audible message.
 22. The navigationsystem of claim 20, wherein said output comprises a visible display. 23.The navigation system of claim 22, wherein said visible displaycomprises a portion of an interior rearview mirror assembly of thevehicle.
 24. The navigation system of claim 22, wherein said visibledisplay comprises at least one of a display on demand display element, athin film transistor liquid crystal display element, a multi-pixeldisplay element and a multi-icon display element.
 25. The navigationsystem of claim 20, wherein said user input comprises a vocal input fromthe driver or occupant of the vehicle to a service center associatedwith said vehicle-based telematics system.
 26. The navigation system ofclaim 20, wherein said initial geographic position of the vehicle iscommunicated to the service center via said vehicle-based globalpositioning system.
 27. The navigation system of claim 20 including aseat adjustment system, said seat adjustment system being operable toadjust a seat of the vehicle in response to data received via at leastone of said vehicle-based telematics system and said vehicle-basedglobal positioning system.
 28. The navigation system of claim 27,wherein said seat adjustment system is operable in response to biometricdata pertaining to the occupant of the seat of the vehicle.